Bill McCormick: Meaning lost in translation

Bill McCormick

Wow, what a rollercoaster first few days. I can see immediately that one of the best things about this job is the lessons I'll get to learn along the way.

Lesson one: Both countries speak English, but American and Kiwi are two different languages.

I made a few comments in my first few days here which didn't seem to land as I had anticipated.

It seems when I said, "The ball's in your court", many Kiwis heard, "The US doesn't care about the relationship ... The US are not going to make any moves on this ... It's up to you fix any problems in the relationship."

That is not what those words mean to me.

I also believe it would be useful for both countries if, together, we were able to create a new future for the relationship - a future free from the echoes of the past and always looking forward.

I fully recognise that such a shift would take some rethinking by both countries.

For my part, I am convinced that the relationship is worth engaging in that kind of rethinking, but that is not something New Zealand can or should be forced into.

I wanted to underscore my predecessor's suggestion that both countries could choose to create an improved relationship dynamic that would carry us into the future. But I also wanted to make it clear that the US is not going to push New Zealanders into that.

I would like to hear what New Zealanders have to say. Kiwis are renowned for their creativity and innovation. I would like to hear your suggestions for overcoming our differences.

But first steps first. The US has said it is interested in creating a forward-looking, strategic relationship with New Zealand, so now we're asking if New Zealanders are interested in the same thing. That's what I meant when I said, "the ball's in your court".

I agree with Prime Minister Helen Clark that we enjoy a very close relationship. For example, in the very short time I have been here I have spoken many times about how much we appreciate New Zealand's participation in the rebuilding of Iraq and the work you have done in Afghanistan.

Please let me say it again. Thank you. The US values New Zealand's contribution. The wider coalition of countries values New Zealand's contribution.

Most importantly of course, New Zealand's contribution is valued by the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. I hope they will allow me to take the liberty of saying thank you from us all.

I also agree with the Prime Minister that dwelling on our disagreements is not the most productive way forward.

But we can't ignore our differences - unless we can discuss them we'll never understand why we disagree nor understand the value those differences might have for both of us.

I am a guest in your country and I see it as my job here to continue to celebrate our friendship and delight in all the things we accomplish together.

I also need to work with you to lay a foundation for our relationship 20 or 30 years from now. In doing both, I will not take the friendship of New Zealanders for granted.

Maybe this whole experience simply demonstrates that we need to enhance our common language and our common bonds for the uncommon times in which we live.

I want to spend a lot of time listening to Kiwis before I develop and share my vision for the relationship.

During my tenure here you have my solemn promise that I will do all that I can to make our already strong relationship even stronger.